What Does a Business Lawyer Do for Your Company?

Business lawyers are fundamental to the commercial world. These legal professionals do more than offer advice; they are strategic partners who guide companies through legal and business challenges. Whether you are running a small startup or managing a large corporation, a business lawyer can be crucial to your company’s success and growth.

At The Simone Law Firm, we have worked with many New Jersey and Pennsylvania businesses, providing legal experience across various industries. But what exactly does a business lawyer do day-to-day? Let us explore the key responsibilities and services they offer to help businesses thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

Assisting With Startup, Operations, and Compliance Issues

New Jersey and Pennsylvania business lawyers provide legal advice and a wide range of services to entrepreneurs, especially during business formation, operations, and compliance.

Business Formation

One of the first decisions you will make when starting a new venture is choosing a legal structure to support your operations.

A business lawyer will help you evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the various business entities available in New Jersey, including:

• Sole proprietorships
• Partnerships
• Corporations
• Limited liability companies (LLCs)

Finding the structure that best aligns with your goals and needs is easier when an experienced professional guides you.

Your attorney will also draft the necessary business startup documents, such as articles of incorporation or partnership agreements, and file them with the appropriate state and local agencies.

By working with a business lawyer, you can form your company correctly from the start, minimizing potential legal issues down the road.

Business Operations

Beyond assisting with formation, a business lawyer can guide you on legal matters related to business operations.

This counsel helps you with mergers and acquisitions, supplier contracts, human resource issues, policy drafting, and intellectual property law.

Other operation tasks that may require legal help include:

• Commercial bank account setup
• Securities reporting
• Insurance and licensing compliance
• Tax issues

In a nutshell, your business lawyer guarantees that your company operates as legally efficient as possible.

Maintaining compliance

After you have established your business and got it up and running, you will need to keep your company in compliance with industry-specific laws and regulations.

You can avoid costly legal problems by having your attorney proactively address compliance and licensing issues, ultimately saving you time and money and allowing you to focus on what is more important: business operations.

Drafting and Reviewing Business Contracts

Contracts are the backbone of any business relationship.

Well-drafted agreements protect your interests, minimize legal disputes, and provide a clear roadmap for all parties involved.

Business lawyers expertly draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, such as:

• Employment agreements
• Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
• Vendor contracts
• Lease agreements
• Service contracts

By having your attorney do your legal contract work (instead of using unreliable online sources), you protect the rights of your company and avoid agreeing to unfavorable terms.

Resolving Disputes and Handling Litigation

Legal disputes can arise while running a business, even under the best conditions. In such situations, a Cinnaminson business attorney is an invaluable ally.

Your legal counsel will represent you during negotiations, mediation, or arbitration, working to resolve disputes in a manner that protects your interests.

Should litigation become necessary, a business attorney can file a complaint on your behalf and present your case in court.

Safeguarding Intellectual Property

It is wise for every entrepreneur to protect their intellectual property in the competitive business landscape of today.

A business lawyer can register your trademarks, patents, and copyrights to guarantee the law safeguards your unique ideas and innovations from infringement.

If someone infringes upon your intellectual property rights, your business law firm will enforce your rights and take legal action against the offending party.

Additionally, a business lawyer may defend you against accusations of infringement, protecting your reputation, company, and bottom line.

Guiding You Through Complex Business Transactions

You may consider taking on mergers, acquisitions, or other complex transactions as your business expands.

These deals require careful planning and execution to ensure a smooth transition and protect your interests.

A business lawyer can offer invaluable services throughout expansion planning, providing strategic advice and legal expertise to help you achieve your goals.

• Assist with due diligence.
• Draft and negotiate transaction documents.
• Ensure compliance with securities law and other regulations.
• Structure deals that minimize tax liability.
• Resolve legal issues that arise during the transaction.

With the help of skilled legal services, you can tackle complex transactions confidentially and know that you have protected your legal interests during the process.

Helping Minimize Your Tax Burden

Taxes are a fact of life for any company, but business lawyers know how to minimize tax burdens while complying with applicable tax laws.

Get legal advice on the tax implications of your business decisions, such as choosing a legal structure, making major purchases, or expanding into new markets.

A business attorney can also help you:

• Develop tax-efficient strategies for your business operations.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping and reporting.
• Represent you in disputes with tax authorities.
• Maneuver through the complexities of international tax law if you do business abroad.

When working with a Cinnaminson business lawyer who understands how taxation impacts business law issues, you make better decisions that benefit your bottom line.

Helping With Franchising and Licensing

Business law firms regularly handle the legal complexities of franchising or licensing business expansion.

Your legal counsel can help you:

• Draft and review franchise agreements and disclosure documents.
• Comply with state and federal franchise laws.
• Protect your intellectual property rights in a franchise system.
• Resolve disputes with franchisees or licensees.

Grow your business while minimizing legal risks by working with a legal professional who understands the unique challenges that franchising brings.

Assisting Business Owners in Succession Planning

Every entrepreneur should plan to keep their company alive and protect their business assets after they are gone.

Business lawyers can help you develop a comprehensive succession plan that ensures a smooth transition of ownership and leadership upon your death or when the time comes for you to step down.

• Identify potential successors and develop a timeline for the transition.
• Draft buy-sell agreements, stock transfer agreements, and other legal documents.
• Help train potential successors for future roles.
• Addresses tax implications and strategies to minimize tax liability during the transition.
• Create a will and trust to protect your business interests.
• Plan for incapacity or unexpected events.
• Align your business succession plan with your personal estate plan.

By taking a proactive approach to business succession, you secure the future of your legacy and provide peace of mind for yourself and your heirs.

Offering Alternative Dispute Resolution Options

When legal disputes arise, litigation is not always the best solution.

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, such as mediation and arbitration, often provide a faster, more cost-effective way to resolve conflicts.

Your business lawyer can help you understand the pros and cons of the ADR process and choose the right approach for your specific situation.

Legal counsel may also prepare you for and participate in mediation or arbitration sessions or draft and enforce settlement agreements.

Let ADR options resolve your dispute more efficiently and preserve important business relationships.

Protect Your Business with the Right Legal Guidance

Running a business is challenging, but you do not have to do it alone.

Take an experienced business lawyer with you on this journey by contacting the skilled business attorneys at The Simone Law Firm in Cinnaminson, NJ.

From business formation and contract drafting to dispute resolution and succession planning, our New Jersey business law firm is here to help you resolve legal challenges.

Schedule a consultation today to discuss your options and learn more about how we can help you protect and grow your business.